New YouGov research commissioned by Royal Caribbean finds Filipino travellers are drawn to seeing more of Europe in one trip as Legend of the Seas brings Icon Class vacations to the Mediterranean for the first time
The Philippines – For Filipino travellers looking to make the most of a European vacation, seeing multiple destinations without the hassle of moving between cities is proving to be a compelling proposition. New research commissioned by Royal Caribbean and conducted by YouGov found that 75% of Filipino respondents find a multi-destination European cruise vacation appealing, slightly above the 74% average across Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia. The findings come as Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon Class vacation, offers travellers new ways to discover the Mediterraneanfrom Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.
For Filipino travellers, Italy ranks as the most sought-after European destination, with 49% saying they would like to visit, followed by Spain at 43%, France at 41%, the United Kingdom at 35% and Greece at 29%. Notably, interest in Spain among Filipino travellers is 10 percentage points higher than the five-market average of 33%. Across the five markets surveyed, Italy ranks as the top European destination overall at 47%, followed by France at 41% and Spain at 33%.
Sailing to highly sought-after destinations including Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Provence, France; and Florence/ Rome and Naples/Capri, Italy, Legend combines Europe’s most iconic destinations with the signature experiences of Royal Caribbean’s revolutionary Icon Class, giving guests more ways to experience Europe in one vacation.
“What stood out to us from the findings is how much travellers value making the most of their time when exploring Europe. Whether it is visiting iconic destinations, spending time with family, or simply enjoying the journey itself, travellers are increasingly looking for holidays that are seamless, enriching and full of adventure. We believe that is one of the reasons multi-destination cruising continues to resonate,” said Ben Bouldin, President, Greater China and Managing Director, Asia, Royal Caribbean. “Legend of the Seas marks a pivotal moment as we bring an Icon Class vacation to Europe for the first time. It gives Asian travellers a more accessible way to experience Icon Class while exploring multiple European destinations in a single trip, expanding the ways they can explore Europe without having to compromise on the vacation experience.”
Making the Most of Time in Europe
For Filipino travellers planning a multi-destination European vacation, the journey itself can present challenges. 88% of Filipino respondents said they find at least one aspect of travelling between multiple European destinations tiring or stressful, with flight delays and cancellations (54%), managing luggage between countries (36%), long layovers (35%) and packing and unpacking (32%) among the most commonly cited pain points.
At the same time, Filipino travellers see cruising as a way to simplify the journey while getting more from the vacation. The ability to see many destinations easily was cited by 49% of Filipino respondents as a key benefit of cruising in Europe, while 51% valued having meals and entertainment included. Safety and comfort was also cited by 39%, while 31% appreciated not having to pack and unpack between destinations.
Cruise Travel Rises as an Easier Way to Experience Europe
The survey points to a growing appetite among Filipino travellers for vacations that combine destination discovery with convenience. Cruise ranks as the No. 1 preferred mode of inter-European travel among Filipino respondents at 34%, ahead of trains at 25%, private cars at 22%, short-haul flights at 12% and buses or coaches at 7%. Across all five markets surveyed, cruise ranks first overall at 26%.
The appeal of multi-destination cruising extends across different traveller groups. Across the five markets surveyed, 80% of respondents who have previously travelled within Europe find multi-destination European cruise travel appealing, while 81% of parents with children under 18 also find it appealing.
Turning Travel Time into Vacation Time
On Legend of the Seas, the journey between destinations becomes part of the vacation experience. Among Filipino respondents, 91% expressed interest in onboard entertainment, while 87% were interested in the ship’s thrill and leisure experiences.
The onboard experiences generating the greatest interest among Filipino travellers include:
- America’s Got Talent LIVE on Legend of the Seas (48%)
The first-ever America’s Got Talent stage show at sea, featuring a dynamic lineup of unique acts by performers from the Got Talent universe - Surfside Neigbourhood (35%)
A dedicated neighbourhood designed for families with young children, featuring Splashaway Bay kids aquapark, a playscape with a climbing wall and family-friendly dining at Pier 7 and Surfside Eatery - Category 6 Waterpark (35%)
The largest waterpark at sea located in Thrill Island
Dining as Part of the Destination
Dining offers another way for vacationers to come together on Legend of the Seas, through immersive concepts, family-friendly venues and familiar favourites. Filipino travellers also show interest in the ship’s range of dining experiences. Chops Grille, Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse, and Royal Railway – Legend Station are among the dining concepts Filipino respondents are most excited to try, at 22% and 20%, respectively.
The top dining experiences include:
- Royal Railway – Legend Station (20%)
An immersive train car dining experience, taking vacationers on a five-course expedition through the ancient Silk Routes. - Chops Grille (22%)
Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse serving premium cuts, fresh seafood and classic sides, along with brunch options
- Hollywoodland Supper Club (16%),
An elevated multi-course dining experience inspired by the golden age of Hollywood, featuring jazz, cocktails and elegant dishes
Vacationers can now book Legend of the Seas Mediterranean holidays on Royal Caribbean’s website.
About Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean, part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has delivered memorable vacations for more than 50 years. The cruise line’s game-changing ships and exclusive destinations revolutionize vacations with industry-leading innovations and an all-encompassing combination of experiences, from thrills and ways to chill, to dining and entertainment, for every type of family and vacationer. Voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 23 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, Royal Caribbean makes memories with adventurers across more than 300 destinations in 80 countries on all seven continents, including Perfect Day CocoCay in The Bahamas and Royal Beach Clubs in Paradise Island and Santorini, plus Royal Beach Club Lelepa launching October 2027. Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on X and visit www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to book, vacationers can visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com, call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN or contact their travel advisor.
